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Ash Towe

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Highlights of 2011
« on: December 05, 2011, 01:17:21 PM »
There is a few end of year threads at the moment, so I thought it is time for another one.

My first highlight was my wife's health returning nearly back to normal.

Secondly I had a light year for playing new courses, only St Andrews Beach and Lost Farm.  I did have a big trip to Ireland which I had to cancel pretty close to going.  Royal County Down, Royal Portrush and the European Club returned their green fees immediately and without question.  Similarly the accomodation booked near these clubs did the same.  I was very grateful and am determined to repay them at some stage.

Jim Colton's efforts at Ballyneal.  He gets my vote as GCA'er of the year.

A return trip to the Sandbelt.  It is a great place to play.

The many photo tours we have had this year.  The quality gets better all the time.  Many thanks.

Ran's review of Sunningdale New.

Hope 2012 is even better.

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Mac Plumart

  • Karma: +0/-0
Re: Highlights of 2011
« Reply #1 on: December 05, 2011, 02:41:52 PM »
Ash...great stuff.  I don't know the details behind your wife's ailments, but I am glad things are returing to normal.  Nothing grounds you like the loss of your health.

The highlight of my year revovles around the community and welcoming nature of golf and, more specifically, GCA.com.  I won't bore y'all again with the details, as I did it in the 2011-The best year of my life thread.  But the sense of community here is incredible.  Thanks!!
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Sportsman/Adventure loving golfer.

Scott Szabo

  • Karma: +0/-0
Re: Highlights of 2011
« Reply #2 on: December 20, 2011, 11:07:58 AM »
Quote from: Ash Towe on December 05, 2011, 01:17:21 PM

Jim Colton's efforts at Ballyneal.  He gets my vote as GCA'er of the year.


+1

Took my 8 year old out for his first nine this year and he shot a 61.  I carried his bag, we walked and talked the whole way.  We played through a group during the round and afterwards they asked him how long he'd been playing.  He said this was his first time, and they were blown away.  A more proud father could not be found at that moment!

As I mature a bit, it's clear to me that it's not about where you are playing, or how you are scoring, but rather who you are with that's important.  I've had the pleasure of meeting a few of you over the past few years, and hope this continues in the future.   
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"So your man hit it into a fairway bunker, hit the wrong side of the green, and couldn't hit a hybrid off a sidehill lie to take advantage of his length? We apologize for testing him so thoroughly." - Tom Doak, 6/29/10

Garland Bayley

  • Karma: +0/-0
Re: Highlights of 2011
« Reply #3 on: December 20, 2011, 12:59:00 PM »
GRUDGE MATCH: The Sequel
 ;D
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"I enjoy a course where the challenges are contained WITHIN it, and recovery is part of the game  not a course where the challenge is to stay ON it." Jeff Warne

Kevin_Reilly

  • Karma: +0/-0
Re: Highlights of 2011
« Reply #4 on: December 20, 2011, 01:42:04 PM »
Ash, great to hear about your wife. 

I can't believe your 2011 highlight list did not include any mention of an event in Auckland on October 23rd!
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"GOLF COURSES SHOULD BE ENJOYED RATHER THAN RATED" - Tom Watson

JLahrman

  • Karma: +0/-0
Re: Highlights of 2011
« Reply #5 on: December 20, 2011, 02:44:41 PM »
1. The birth of my first child, a daughter.
2. Taking part in the KPI - my first visit to Bandon, where I got to meet quite a few GCAers. I had probably only met 5 or 6 GCAers before the KPI trip, but I believe there were 32 of us at Bandon.
3. Fulfilling my goal of playing 20 rounds this year - more than the previous 2 years combined!
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Ash Towe

  • Karma: +0/-0
Re: Highlights of 2011
« Reply #6 on: December 20, 2011, 05:41:51 PM »
Hi Kevin,

Thanks for those kind words re my wife.

The date you mentioned was when all NZ males got their manhood back. ;D

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John Kavanaugh

  • Karma: +0/-0
Re: Highlights of 2011
« Reply #7 on: December 20, 2011, 05:53:35 PM »
Laying in bed with the covers over my head, in a hotel room where my son needed to sleep, watching my name being drawn 6th in the Ben Cox raffle.
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Kevin Pallier

  • Karma: +0/-0
Re: Highlights of 2011
« Reply #8 on: December 21, 2011, 07:41:36 AM »
Ash

Glad to hear all is well - please pass on my regards

Golfing highlights = road trip to Melbourne (played a few Sandbelt courses) ferry across toTasmania and GCA Boomerang at Barnbougle and Lost Farm (cheers to Scott for organising same)
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Ash Towe

  • Karma: +0/-0
Re: Highlights of 2011
« Reply #9 on: December 21, 2011, 12:13:59 PM »
Kevin,

Many thanks.

Looking forward to seeing you next year.
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ed_getka

  • Karma: +0/-0
Re: Highlights of 2011
« Reply #10 on: December 22, 2011, 10:36:40 PM »
My wife completed her graduate studies last week. I'm looking forward to getting out on some golf courses and seeing you guys again as I resume some modest golf traveling.
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"Perimeter-weighted fairways", The best euphemism for containment mounding I've ever heard.

Eric Smith

  • Karma: +0/-0
Re: Highlights of 2011
« Reply #11 on: December 22, 2011, 10:52:07 PM »
Quote from: Brian Sheehy on December 21, 2011, 07:48:01 AM
Quote from: John Kavanaugh on December 20, 2011, 05:53:35 PM
Laying in bed with the covers over my head, in a hotel room where my son needed to sleep, watching my name being drawn 6th in the Ben Cox raffle.

What did you get??

A Dutch oven.
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Ronald Montesano

  • Karma: +0/-0
Re: Highlights of 2011
« Reply #12 on: December 22, 2011, 10:57:07 PM »
Smith, great post...gonna go make my own dutch oven now, in your honor.
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Coming in 2024
~Elmira Country Club
~Soaring Eagles
~Bonavista
~Indian Hills
~Maybe some more!!

Eric Smith

  • Karma: +0/-0
Re: Highlights of 2011
« Reply #13 on: December 22, 2011, 10:58:01 PM »
Quote from: Ronald Montesano on December 22, 2011, 10:57:07 PM
Smith, great post...gonna go make my own dutch oven now, in your honor.

Knock yourself out.
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John Kavanaugh

  • Karma: +0/-0
Re: Highlights of 2011
« Reply #14 on: December 22, 2011, 11:33:03 PM »
I won the two day outing for four at The Prairie Club.
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Tim Martin

  • Karma: +0/-0
Re: Highlights of 2011
« Reply #15 on: December 23, 2011, 08:08:01 AM »
Quote from: Eric Smith on December 22, 2011, 10:52:07 PM
Quote from: Brian Sheehy on December 21, 2011, 07:48:01 AM
Quote from: John Kavanaugh on December 20, 2011, 05:53:35 PM
Laying in bed with the covers over my head, in a hotel room where my son needed to sleep, watching my name being drawn 6th in the Ben Cox raffle.

What did you get??

A Dutch oven.

Assuming he did in fact get the dutch oven would it be a stretch to assume he also got dizzy? Could there really have been any winners in that room?
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Ronald Montesano

  • Karma: +0/-0
Re: Highlights of 2011
« Reply #16 on: December 23, 2011, 08:16:00 AM »
JK...all by your lonesome? That's quite a feat.
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Coming in 2024
~Elmira Country Club
~Soaring Eagles
~Bonavista
~Indian Hills
~Maybe some more!!

Chris Johnston

  • Karma: +0/-0
Re: Highlights of 2011
« Reply #17 on: December 23, 2011, 08:32:24 AM »
I had the privilege to meet so many people while they were having fun!  Spent time with great members and guests, and made some great friends too!

Was able to see a new course come to life, with an outstanding designer, team, and effort!

Won an "Authnetic" golf bag!  Thanks for the generous donation, Todd, and great job, Jim!

Supported dozens of charities and good causes. Have the best staff in the world!

Lost a great adopted Dismal Dog (Pollux) who I was lucky to know and very sad to lose.  Didn't have him long but he was a true and loyal friend. Brought a new Dismal Dog (Maximus Wigglus) on board and still have and adore the lovely Lydia.

Too many highlights to list them all.  Add a great family and I am blessed.

Thanks to everyone, and Merry Christmas!



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Joel Zuckerman

  • Karma: +0/-0
Re: Highlights of 2011
« Reply #18 on: December 23, 2011, 09:11:31 AM »
From the "Now that it's over" department...

Two hail incidents at Bandon Dunes at the KP in March.

The first with Bryan Izatt..maybe 30 seconds long, on the green of the uphill, shortish par-4 that leads to the ocean on Old Mac..maybe hole 6 or 7?

That was the mere appetizer...coming down the stretch at Bandon Dunes a day or so later (I think with Benham and Gray Greive..I forget our 4th) on perhaps the 15th or maybe 16th hole, it hailed hard, at a 45 degree angle, for close to 5 minutes.  I recall holding the umbrella at a severe angle to deflect the pellets, as opposed to holding it directly overhead.

20 -30 minutes later, as we were heading up the 18th, it was 15 degrees warmer, breaking sun, and steam rising from the fast-melting hail...
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Don_Mahaffey

Re: Highlights of 2011
« Reply #19 on: December 23, 2011, 09:16:13 AM »
Chris,
The professional highlight of 2011 for me was the privilege of working on that great piece of ground for the new course at DR, and working with you and your staff and Tom and his guys. Looking forward to doing it all over, squared, in 2012!

Merry Christmas and Happy New Year to you and your family, and everyone else out there in GCA land!
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Mac Plumart

  • Karma: +0/-0
Re: Highlights of 2011
« Reply #20 on: December 23, 2011, 11:12:03 AM »
You know another highlight for me happened on my return from Bandon.

First off, Bandon lived up to all the hype.  All courses were excellent and I had a blast.  BUT, as soon as I got home I started think about The 'mont and the next day I got out there for a quick nine.  I was borderline giddy to be back at the Rivermont. 



Bottomline, there...being a member of Rivermont was/is a huge highlight for me.  I hope y'all love your local clubs as much...I know there are some good ones out there.

Also, my national club, Dismal.  I freakin' love getting out there.  And to have Tom and his team cooking up a new course and having Don out there as well is pretty sweet.  Seeing this thing coming to life is another HUGE highlight...



FYI, this is a cut and paste photo from another thread and it is Aidan's work...not mine.  As I'm sure you all can tell.
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Sportsman/Adventure loving golfer.

David_Tepper

  • Karma: +0/-0
Re: Highlights of 2011
« Reply #21 on: December 23, 2011, 11:59:33 AM »
My, admittedly modest, highlights for 2011 were:

1) Attending Day 1 of the Walker Cup at Royal Aberdeen
2) Winning the high-handicap flight of the September Monthly Medal at Royal Dornoch.
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Eric Smith

  • Karma: +0/-0
Re: Highlights of 2011
« Reply #22 on: December 23, 2011, 12:07:24 PM »
Great posts guys.

Mac - that picture of Dismal is intoxicating. And Rivermont...wow. Probably the second best set of greens I saw this year. Looks like we're going to get nice weather for our Monday battle!

Btw, how cool is it that in 2011 I had the privilege of teeing it with six of the posters on this thread? All highlights.

Thanks everyone.

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Bill McKinley

  • Karma: +0/-0
Re: Highlights of 2011
« Reply #23 on: December 23, 2011, 12:20:47 PM »
Fun year!

-in order by date

1. Seminole in January
2. A really fun par 3 course in Jupiter called Jupiter Dunes.  It was just a nice day with some buddies out walking and hitting wedges.
3. Fox Chapel in July
4. Oakland Hills South in August
5. An unbelievable week in October of Oakmont, playing in the SWAT, followed by French Creek, a nice Gil Hanse outside of Philly.  Then 2 days pure unadulterated bliss at Merion.  Teeing off during the lunch crowd on Friday then playing again on Saturday morning.  It was the best! Perfect weather too BTW, 70 and sunny both days.
6. Muirfield Village on November 1st.

Also joining this board in September was a big highlight for me too!!

Looking forward to a great 2012! 
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2016 Highlights:  Streamsong Blue (3/17); Streamsong Red (3/17); Charles River Club (5/16); The Country Club - Brookline (5/17); Myopia Hunt Club (5/17); Fishers Island Club (5/18); Aronomink GC (10/16); Pine Valley GC (10/17); Somerset Hills CC (10/18)

Anthony Gray

Re: Highlights of 2011
« Reply #24 on: December 23, 2011, 12:31:42 PM »
Quote from: Eric Smith on December 23, 2011, 12:07:24 PM
Great posts guys.

Mac - that picture of Dismal is intoxicating. And Rivermont...wow. Probably the second best set of greens I saw this year. Looks like we're going to get nice weather for our Monday battle!

Btw, how cool is it that in 2011 I had the privilege of teeing it with six of the posters on this thread? All highlights.

Thanks everyone.



 Spoken like a true gentelman golfer.

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